Intensity rising for Friday night

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North Queensland Toyota Cowboys skipper Gavin Cooper says Friday’s Round 22 game against competition leaders the Melbourne Storm is as good as it gets in the regular season as his side looks to press its top four claims at 1300SMILES Stadium.

Ironman Cooper, 31, will lead a largely unchanged team on to the field against the perennial competition heavyweights, the home side looking to return to the winner’s circle after a tight six-point loss to the Sydney Roosters last start.

The Cowboys led 16-6 at half time in that match, but were overrun in the second half by a fast, strong and aggressive Roosters side.

“If you can’t get up for the Storm with five weeks to go, I think we’re in trouble,” Cooper said.

“The level of footy they’re playing at the moment is a good level above everyone else and it would be a good test for us.”

The long-term Cowboys forward said the Storm were the team to beat this year, adding that everyone does their job week-in, week-out, which laid the platform for their trademark consistency.